About this project

After almost two full decades on Chicago’s FM dial, Q101 is
going away. When the station is officially handed off to its new owner, Merlin
Media, in August, a format flip is expected to happen immediately. Before the memories fade, I decided that I should write a
book about the station’s run as an “alternative” rock station.

Smells Like Rock Radio: an Oral History of Chicago’s Q101
(1992-2011)will chronicle the complex, hilarious, and culture-influencing history
of the soon-to-be-gone station. The story
will be told by the most qualified people to tell it: the DJs, programmers, support
staff, and friends of Q101.

The book will be published in two ways:

1) Publish on Demand. The paperback version will be
made available through Amazon and other outlets to be determined.

I’ve estimated costs at $9750, an admittedly large chunk of
change. As such, I’ve tried to make the incentives worth it!

As for why you should back this book, I'm uniquely qualified to pull it together. I've spent a lot of time at Q101 over the years, handling a lot of different responsibilities:

1993-2000

Air talent (nights, weekends, even Morning Drive for a fleeting moment)

Assistant Music Director

Host, "Local 101"

Webmaster

Producer, "Sound Opinions"

Producer, "Live 101" and "Local 101" CDs

Syndicated host, "Levi's Spark Radio"

2006-2007

Overnight jock

Morning host

2009-2011

Weekend jock

When I wasn't working at Q101, I was competing against it at stations like WXRT and WZZN. I have a comprehensive knowledge of the station's personnel, history, and operations. More importantly, my connections and familiarity with the station will make lining up interviews (the foundation of the book) a breeze.

FAQ

The simple answer is invest that money in the book, just as I would all the funds before it. I budgeted the minimum amount for everything I need to get the book published. Extra funds would mean additional and enhanced resources. For instance:

If I had budgeted X for a copy editor based on my goal, additional money would mean that I could spend XY on better or enhanced services to get the job done.

If I had budgeted X to pay for freelance interview help, additional money would mean that I could spend XY to offer a more dignified rate to my freelancers, or hire more on.

I'm positive that I under-budgeted for mailing out rewards and publicity copies. Extra money will cover that.

Pledge $50 or more

My personal copy of "Live 101 Volume One." The long out-of-print CD features exclusive live tracks from Live, INXS, Bush, Our Lady Peace, and more

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1 backer
All gone!

Cake "Motorcade of Generosity" promotional flat, signed by band on that tour ('94).

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1 backer
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Autographed Mudvayne setlist ("Lost and Found") tour

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1 backer
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From my home collection: every Clash CD I own. Includes: London Calling, The Clash, Super Black Market Clash, Sandinista! Burning London (tribute to the Clash), Clash on Broadway, Give 'Em Enough Rope, From Here to Eternity Live, and Cut the Crap.

Note that there's an approximately 12" tear up the bottom center of the poster, though it does not interfere with any of the autographs.

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Pledge $125 or more

1 backer
All gone!

Rare promotional poster for Q101's "Twisted Christmas": the very first Twisted event.

Bands featured on the poster include Hole, Weezer, Bad Religion, Dinosaur Jr., Killing Joke, and Veruca Salt. This poster was created for the first-ever Twisted show, which led to an annual tradition that kept growing bigger each year.

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Pledge $150 or more

18 backers
Limited (7 left of 25)

You get to write a 125-word essay on a Q101 memory, thought, or opinion and have it included in the book. Please note that essays may be edited for print, and must not be libelous, slanderous, or otherwise icky.

This includes a personal, signed copy of SMELLS LIKE ROCK RADIO.

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Pledge $300 or more

3 backers
Limited (7 left of 10)

You get to write a 250-word essay on a Q101 memory, thought, or opinion and have it included in the book. Please note that essays may be edited for print, and must not be libelous, slanderous, or otherwise icky.